At a glance
What a student from Maharashtra needs to know before deciding — clearly and honestly.
The education
KAUST offers world-class, fully-funded English research with stipends and housing; Vision 2030 is pouring investment into universities and hiring.
The true cost
Scholarships range from fully funded (e.g. KAUST, for eligible research students) to partial support. Otherwise fees are modest, and salaries are tax-free.
Safety & visa
Check the latest MEA advisory before you travel. Expect conservative dress and social rules; non-Muslim worship is restricted — research carefully.
Top universities
A selection of universities popular with Maharashtra students, listed by name with their QS World 2027 rank. Many international places at Saudi public universities are scholarship-funded (see Scholarships in the rules section below). KAUST appears in QS subject tables, not the overall World table.
After you graduate
Post-study work rights are the most important factor — and the most likely to change. Here is the position as of today.
Saudi Arabia’s current Educational Visa framework provides practical training for international graduates for up to two years after graduation. This is a post-graduation practical-training opportunity, not an unrestricted two-year open work visa. If you move into ordinary employment, you must follow the applicable Saudi employment and work-residence rules.
Immigration rules, eligibility and salary thresholds change frequently and without notice. Always verify the latest official guidance before you apply, and never treat any figure here as a guarantee of future entitlement.
- Practical training for up to 2 years after graduation
- Not an open two-year work visa
- Ordinary jobs follow Saudi work-residence rules
Visa, work & money rules
The official rules behind your visa, work, family and budget planning — last audited 17 September 2026. Rules change often, so confirm each point on the official government or university website before you apply.
Student visa
Saudi Arabia’s current Educational Visa is applied for through the official Study in Saudi / Saudi visa system after you are admitted to a licensed educational institution. The official framework states that it does not require a traditional sponsor (kafeel) and can be obtained electronically. The Long-term Educational Visa is for study or research programmes longer than one year (bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral). It is issued for one year and renewable annually. Requirements: you are generally at least 16 (guardian consent if under 18); a passport valid for at least 6 months; admission to a licensed or accredited institution; proof that you can cover tuition and living costs, or a financial guarantee; a medical report confirming you are free from communicable disease; medical insurance for you and any accompanying dependants; proof of proficiency in the language of study (except for Arabic-language learners); and the required authentication of your educational documents.
Work while studying
The current Saudi Educational Visa framework states that international students may work part-time during their studies and full-time during official vacations, subject to the applicable labour, university and visa conditions. Confirm the authorised employment procedure before you start work.
Family & dependants
The Saudi Educational Visa framework allows international students to bring accompanying dependants, subject to the applicable visa and documentation requirements. Medical insurance is required for you and for accompanying family members. Whether family members can work depends on the relevant Saudi labour and immigration authorisation.
Proof of funds
Educational Visa applicants must show the financial ability to cover tuition and living expenses, or provide an accepted financial guarantee. The Study in Saudi portal does not publish one universal fixed SAR amount for all students. This is a visa requirement, separate from actual living-cost estimates.
Health insurance
For a long-term Educational Visa, you must provide a medical report showing you are free from communicable diseases, and medical-insurance documentation for yourself and any accompanying dependants.
Scholarships
The Study in Saudi platform and public universities offer scholarships to international students. They range from fully funded (tuition, monthly stipend and accommodation — e.g. KAUST for eligible research students) to partial support; terms vary by university and programme. Indian applicants can review current options on the official Study in Saudi portal.
ROI calculator
Enter your own numbers to see total investment and an indicative payback period. This is a guide only — not financial advice.
Saudi Arabia — Master's ROI
Indicative · based on today's assumptions
Figures are indicative only and vary with fees, salaries, exchange rates and visa rules. Treat this as one data point — not conclusive evidence or financial advice.
Safety snapshot
Based on Ministry of External Affairs guidance — always check the latest official advisory before you travel.
Check the latest MEA advisory
Check the latest guidance from the Ministry of External Affairs and the Embassy of India in Riyadh or the Consulate in Jeddah before you travel and during your stay, and register on MADAD (madad.gov.in). Observe conservative dress and social rules; non-Muslim worship is restricted.
Emergency contacts
Dial 999 / 997. MEA helpline: 1800 11 3090.
Register with the embassy
Register at madad.gov.in on arrival so the nearest Indian Mission can reach you in an emergency.
Food, culture & community
What to expect day-to-day — and how to feel at home far from home, as a student from Maharashtra.
Food & groceries
Indian food is widely available; vegetarian and halal options are universal.
The Maharashtra community
A very large Indian expat community across the kingdom; English is used in academia and global firms.
Maha-Alumni Connect lets you speak with students from your own district who studied at these very universities.
Compare Saudi Arabia with other destinations.
See the same degree across countries, or check the latest safety guidance before you commit.